Ahead of Saturday’s crunch relegation clash, we have the Ipswich vs Southampton preview, prediction, latest team news and predicted lineups.
Ipswich Vs Southampton Preview
After damaging defeats to Manchester City and Liverpool last time out, Ipswich will be aiming to get their survival hopes back on track this weekend.
The Tractor Boys are currently 19th in the Premier League table and sit just one point from safety. A win at Portman Road against the basement dwellers will give the Suffolk-side a huge boost as they bid to avoid the drop.
Kieran McKenna’s side have fought admirably so far this season. However, the gulf in class has proven to heavy to handle in recent weeks.
With that said, the Blues did brush Chelsea aside 2-0 at the back end of 2024. Demonstrating that on their day, they are capable of causing an upset.
Just ask Tottenham, too. The Lilywhites suffered a shock 2-1 loss at home to Ipswich in November but McKenna’s side have struggled against those around them on home turf this season.
The Saints on Saturday. 🏡#IPSSOU pic.twitter.com/PMp9RYPkVP
— Ipswich Town (@IpswichTown) January 28, 2025
Southampton have endured a torrid time on their return to the top-flight. From their 23 fixtures so far, just six points have been accumulated with three of those coming in their solitary victory over Everton.
A return to the EFL Championship is imminent but new boss Ivan Juric will be hoping to lead his troops down fighting. Which is easier said than done.
The Saints have lost their last six games in a row and they were comprehensively beaten 3-1 by Newcastle at St Mary’s last weekend.
In the reverse fixture, wonderkid Tyler Dibling opened the scoring before a 95th minute leveller from Sam Morsy ensured a share of the spoils.
Ahead of Saturday’s vital encounter, the best football betting sites in the UK price Ipswich as the 21/20 favourites. Southampton can be backed at 3/1 with the draw 11/4.
Ipswich Vs Southampton Team News
Sammie Szmodics, Conor Chaplin, Chiedozie Ogbene and Wes Burns are all absent for Ipswich. The latter suffered a knee injury just 30 minutes into the 4-1 drubbing at Anfield.
However, star left-back Leif Davis is expected to return to the starting XI. Jens Cajuste is also in line for a recall after missing the Liverpool defeat.
January loan signing Julio Enciso is poised for his first start. The Brighton loanee came off the bench last weekend and set up the Tractor Boys goal in the north west.
Meanwhile, Southampton can call upon Tyler Dibling and Kamaldeen Sulemana. Boss Ivan Juric has confirmed both are ready for selection.
On another positive note, Aaron Ramsdale, Ross Stewart, Jack Stephens and new signing Albert Gronbaek are all expected to travel to Suffolk after their recent fitness concerns.
Three Lions defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis will once again marshal the defence alongside Jan Bednarek. The Pole scored the opener against Newcastle last week.
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) January 30, 2025
Ipswich Vs Southampton Predicted Lineups
Ipswich (4-2-3-1): Walton; Tuanzebe, O’Shea, Greaves, Davis; Phillips, Cajuste; Hutchinson, Enciso, Philogene; Delap
Southampton (3-5-2): Ramsdale; Bree, Bednarek, Harwood-Bellis; Sugawara, Aribo, Ugochukwu, Walker-Peters; Fernandes; Armstrong, Onuachu
Ipswich Vs Southampton Prediction
Although Southampton have shown a bit more fight in recent weeks, we feel that Ipswich won’t let this opportunity for a vital three points pass them by.
The Tractor Boys have plenty of quality in their squad to get the better of a truly woeful Saints team who have continuously struggled in the top-flight this season.
Prediction: Ipswich 2-0 Southampton
